Etihad to install wing-tips on A320s

Etihad Airways has signed a contract with Airbus to equip 17 of its future A320 aircraft with the fuel-saving wing-tip devices known as Sharklets.

The 2.5-metre-high wing extensions are expected to offer a 3.5% reduction in terms of fuel burn over longer sectors, corresponding to an annual CO2 reduction of around 1,000 tonnes per aircraft.

Etihad’s President & CEO, James Hogan, said; “In today’s climate, our airline is fully focused on maximising the environmental efficiency of the entire fleet. By growing our fleet with the modern, fuel efficient Sharklet-equipped A320, we’ll be able to reduce fuel-burn which is central to our goal of growing profitability in the years ahead.”

Deliveries of the Sharklet-equipped A320s will begin in the third quarter of 2013.

“We are very happy to see Etihad Airways join the increasing number of carriers selecting our new fuel-saving Sharklets,” said John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer. “The A320 already has the best economics and highest reliability of any single-aisle aircraft today, so to further boost the aircraft’s productivity by adding the Sharklet, makes good business sense.” he added.